Chapter Twenty Six
Bella
Dad was as good as his word and although I received a few more e mails from Renee, some begging me to go home others threatening and one calling me all kinds of names for abandoning her in her hour of need he just deleted them after taking a copy for his lawyer. Jasper was with me almost constantly and I found I had no pain and everything seemed just right as long as we were together. The only time I had a bad day was when he went hiking with the family one bright sunny weekend, crying off our plans to visit Seattle. I couldn't really complain, he spent no time with his family at all these days and I had to work on Saturday anyway but I felt terrible, I worried constantly about my mother and the ache in my chest became worse as the weekend went on becoming almost unbearable by Sunday evening although I hid it from my dad or he wouldn't have let me go to school and I had to be there with Jasper on Monday or I thought I might die, well maybe that was a little melodramatic but I couldn't bear to be away from him any longer. My dad had gotten used to Jasper being my boyfriend and seemed to approve of him which made things much easier although dads friends weren't quite so friendly.
We sat talking one afternoon, dad having invited Jasper to watch the football and Billy and Jake Black arrived. As soon as they saw Jasper there was an atmosphere and I could see Jake and Jasper eyeing each other suspiciously although I had no idea why they should dislike each other. In the end Jake and Billy made some excuse and left much to my confusion but after Jasper left later that night dad explained that there was animosity between the Quileutes and the Cullens although he didn't know the root of it.
"The Quileutes just don't like the Cullens. None of them use the clinic since Dr Cullen got here. Its stupid but you'd swear they hated him and his family. I didn't know Billy would turn up or I wouldn't have asked Jasper to stay, it put him in a difficult situation, but I didn't like having to apologise for my friends rudeness to him in my own house. Billy and I are going to have words about that."
"I'm not sure it was all one sided Dad or maybe Jasper was just uncomfortable but thank you for not taking Billy's side"
"I like to think I'm a little fairer than that Bella"
The following Saturday I got off work at lunchtime and Jasper and I went to his place, he had it to himself and it would be nice to just relax for a while. He told me he was cooking dinner for me and that he had a surprise so I was eager to get there. We'd told my dad where we were going, although not that everyone would be out, and he didn't seem to mind, I think he was still angry at the way Billy had treated Jasper the previous weekend. I had only been just inside his place before and was amazed at the size of the place. It was huge with massive floor to ceiling windows looking over a meadow that ran down to a creek at the bottom and in the distance was the Olympic range.
"This is beautiful."
"Yes, Esme designed the interior, its her forte."
I looked around at the walls but they were blank, not a photograph or painting but in one corner was a grand piano and I ran my hand across the keys.
"Do you play?"
"No, that's Edwards, he's a very good player. I play the guitar though, sometimes."
"You don't make up a family band though? You know, Emmett on drums, Alice with a tambourine, Rose on the flute?"
He laughed and picked me up spinning me round,
"You make us sound like the Partridge family but I'm afraid we're nothing like that. Would you like a tour of the house?"
"Won't the others mind?"
"They aren't here but I wont take you anywhere they'd rather keep private."
"OK I'd love to."
The house seemed to go on for ever, every floor had huge bathrooms and even bigger bedrooms although I only peered through partly closed doors. Then Jasper pushed one open and pulled me inside.
"The owner of this one wont mind you taking a look."
I blushed slightly understanding this was his room. I don't know what I expected but it wasn't this. There was a huge wooden bed with a patchwork quilt thrown over the top and a painting on the wall opposite of a rearing horse. It looked so lifelike I wanted to stroke its mane. One wall was full of bookshelves and the books looked well worn, like old friends not window dressing. There was a window seat with leather cushions and I went to look out across at the mountains only to find him standing close behind me.
"Bella, I'd like to give you something. A token of my...love for you"
I froze, had he just said love? I felt his breath on my neck and turned straight into his arms. We kissed and as I found myself breathless he pulled back slightly.
"I'm sorry, perhaps its too soon for me to be saying that but I do love you Isabella Swan."
He fished in his pocket and came out with a small blue box which he opened to reveal the contents. Snuggled inside on blue velvet was a bracelet in silver with a beaded turtle hanging from the centre. I couldn't help smiling, I'd admired it the first time we went to Port Angeles and he had remembered, not only that he'd bought it for me.
"Its beautiful Jasper. Thank you"
I kissed him again and he took it out placing it round my wrist and fastening it before kissing my wrist with his cool lips.
"It seemed appropriate. The turtle is an ancient symbol that represents endurance, determination, strength and innocence. The turtle also provides protection, good fortune, and brings happiness and good omens. I think those sum you up very well."
"I never thought about that but its a beautiful gift. I just wish I had one for you"
His face became serious,
"You do Bella and perhaps one day you will be happy to give it to me."
"Oh?"
He touched me just above my left breast and smiled,
"Your heart is the only gift I will ever want from you."
I didn't know what to say to this beautiful creature before me but the words seem to take control of my mouth,
"I've never felt like this before but then I've never been loved before except by my dad and that doesn't count. Right now I know there is no one I would rather be with and I can't imagine there ever will be. The strange ache in my chest goes away when I'm with you and I know that is significant. You put way too much value on my heart but if you want it then its yours, to keep."
His smile almost blinded me and then a shadow passed across his face.
"What's wrong Jasper?"
He smiled and it disappeared,
"Nothing. I was just thinking there is so much about me that you don't know. Things that might change your mind but just for today I'd like to forget all about everything except you and I. Now come on downstairs I think your dinner will be ready."
When we got down to the kitchen which was sleek and glossy and looked brand new I saw the take out cartons and laughed,
"I thought you were cooking me dinner"
"I was but then I figured if I wanted you for all time it might not be a good idea to poison you with my culinary skills so I opted for safety and ordered in. I hope you like it"
I looked around at the table set for one but with two wine glasses and a red rose in a crystal bud vase.
"You're not joining me?"
"I thought I might chance a glass of wine to toast us, as a real couple. What do you think?"
I kissed him again then sat at the table peering in the containers,
"You do realise there is way too much here for one person?"
"Well I was hedging my bets, I wasn't sure what you liked most so I'm giving you a choice. What you don't eat we can take home for your dad if you like"
I grinned,
"It's my dads favourite, left overs he can heat up in the microwave, I've curbed him recently so this will be a treat."
As I ate I couldn't help glancing at my bracelet from time to time, it was the most beautiful thing I had ever been given by the most beautiful guy I had ever met and I was so happy I could have cried.